Container structure



p 25, 1956 R. L. WHITE 2,764,336

CONTAINER STRUCTURE Filed March 22, 1954 3 S heets-Sheez 1 7\ )30 1'23 0r 5a 37 /29 0 o v 4/ 39 o o o 8 0 I J Z8 26 J3 25 #8 v K. 27 H25 Y 4 w oo o o o o o o o 55 o o 0 "6 o 3 J I 0 y q /5 5- 0 36 o O 33 0 o o q o oo 0 4 ll INVENTOR.

24 Roger L. Whife.

g 7 l 1 l k z 42 Z2} M 42 ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 25, 1956 R. L. WHITE CONTAINER STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheer 2 FiledMarch 22. 1954 m m m m Roger L. WhHe.

ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 25, 1956 R; WHITE 7 2,764,336

CONTAINER STRUCTURE Filed March 22, 1954 a Sheets Sheet 3 I ,7IINVENTOR.

Roger L. Wh/fe.

BY J A TTORME Y5.

United States Patent CONTAINER STRUCTURE Roger L. White, Lawrence,Kans., assignor to The Lawrence Paper Company, Lawrence, Kans., acorporation of Kansas 2 Application March 22, 1954, Serial No. 417,574

4 Claims. 01. 229-36) This invention relates to containers such ascartons or boxes and more particularly to a container constructed ofcorrugated fiber and like board for shipment of meat and other heavyproducts, and has for its principal object to provide a container andintegral closure therefor formed from a single blank and assembled intoa multiple wall structure without the use of stitching, tape or likefasteners.

Further objects of the present invention are to provide a novelcontainer and closure formed from a single sheet of fiberboard which,when assembled, forms a structure of increased strength for stacking andincreased end and side compression as well as corner strength withoutmaterially increasing the cost of the container or the material requiredin its construction; to provide a container with an integral cover andinterengaging parts holding "ice upwardly extending end walls 4 and andside walls 6 and 7, the blank 2 being suitably scored or creasedas at 8to provide fold line hinge connections which. facilitate the upwardbending of the side and end walls along same together in a rigidcondition; to provide a container formed of a single sheet of materialwhich when folded to erected condition provides substantially triplethickness in the side walls, double thickness in the end and bottomwalls, single thickness cover and flanges on selected upper edges ofsaid walls for added rigidity thereof; to provide locking tabs that arecut from various .wall portions without increasing the size of thenecessary blank; and to provide a container and integral closure thatmay be shipped knocked down and erected at the point of use, that iseconomical to manufacture with substantially no waste of material, yetproviding a very strong structure which resists crushing and is adaptedfor shipment of meats and other heavy products without the use of woodand like reinforcing.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention I haveprovided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which areillustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a closed container constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a blank from which the con tainer is formed.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the container in partially erectedcondition.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the container with the rear wallstructure being erected.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through the erected container. 1

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view through the container on the line66, Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged partial perspective view taken on the line 7-7,Fig. 5, showing the rear side lock with the locking tab disengaged fromthe cooperating portions of the container.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged partial perspective view similar to Fig. 7 withthe rear side lock in operative position.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

ll designates a container preferably formed from a single blank 2 offiber or like board, of a type which tends to retain its strength andstiffness while moistor wet. The container has a bottom wall 3 providedwith .of the container.'.

the proper lines. The end walls 4 and 5 each have side flaps 9 and 10that fold on score lines orcreases 11 adjacent to the corners of thecontainer whereby said side flaps overlap the side walls 6 and 7.. Theside flaps 9 are positionedinside of the front side wall 6 with each ofsaid side flaps 9 preferably slightly less than half the length of theside wall 6. The side flaps 10 are positioned inside of the rear sidewall 7 and in the illustrated structure said side flaps 10 areapproximately threefourths the length of the side wall 7 whereby theinner portions of the flaps 10 overlap to provide a double thickness inthe overlapped portion. 'Each of the side flaps 10 is of a lengthsubstantially equal to the combined height of the side wall 7 and widthof the cover 12 and flap 13 on said cover so there is no waste offiberboard at that end of the blank.

A front side wall or inner liner 14 extends from the front side wall 6and is adapted to fold on a double score line or hinge connection 15adjacent the upper edge of said side wall 6 whereby the side innerwall14 folds over the side wall 6 and engages the inner surfaces of theside flaps 9. A bottominner liner 16 extends from the'front side innerliner or wall 14 on the opposite edge thereof from the side wall 6, thebottom liner being of such size as to overlie and cover the'bottom wallwhen the container is folded as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4; The bottomliner folds relative to the side inner. wall or liner 14 .on a scoreline or crease'17. End liners 18 and 19 fold upwardly from the ends ofthe bottom liner 16 on score or crease lines 20 and 21 whereby the endliners 18 and 19 are substantially coextensive with the end walls 4 and5 respectively and lie inside of andsubstantially engage said end wallsto provide a double thickness at the ends The bottom liner 16 cooperateswith thebotto'rnwall 3 to provide a. double thickness at the bottom'of,the container. The side edge 22 of the bottom liner 16 opposite fromthe side inner wall or liner 14 engages the inner surface of theadjacent side flap 10 and holds said side flaps against the side wall 7.The side flaps 10 and end walls 4 and 5- have inturnedflanges 23 on theupper edges to stiffen same. The end liners 18 and 19 have handholdopenings 24 and the end walls 4 and 5 have registering openings 25formed by U-shaped cuts 26 which form tongues 27 extending from scorelines '28 whereby said tongues are folded inwardly through the openings24 and then upwardly to give greater area for gripping the container-inlifting same.

Ventilation openings 29 are arranged in the side walls, side liners andsideflaps and other walls and liners as desired whereby said openingsregister when the container is assembled for circulation of air throughthe container as when meat or the like is frozen in the containen. 1

V The cover 12 extends from the upper edge of the side wall 7 and foldson a score line 30 to overlie the top edges of the front and ends of thecontainer. The flange 13 is on the opposite side of the cover 12 fromthe side wall 7 and folds on a score line 31 downwardly exteriorly ofthe front side wall 6. The flange 13 has spaced longitudinal slots 32adjacent the score line 31 for receiving tongues 33 that are formed byU-shaped cuts 34 in the front side wall 6 and front side liner 14. Thetongue 33 extends upwardly from score lines 35 in the side wall6exteriorly of the flange 13 and the score lines 15 extend transverselyof the tongues whereby the upperportion 36 of the tongues is bentinwardly and inserted into the'slots 32. The upper portion 36 of thetongues is preferably slightly wider than the slots are long to providea lockingengagement that tends to hold the tongues in the slots.

Locking tongues or tabs 37 are formed in each of the side'fiapslt) andextend longitudinally thereof from the score lines 11. Thetongues ortabs 37 are preferably midway the height of the side flaps and areformed by 'U-shaped cuts '38 and have vertical score lines 39 acrosssaid tabs substantially midway the length thereof. Vertical slots 40 arearranged in the side wall 7 and spaced from the-end edges thereof adistance corresponding to the spacing between the score lines 11 and 39whereby the, tongues or tabs '37 are folded exteriorly of the side wall7, inserted into the slots 40 and the end portion 41 of said tabs turnedon the score lines 39 toward the adjacent end walls. The end portions 41of the tongues or tabs lie in the cutout in the side flaps formed by thecutting of the tabs 37 and the free ends of said end portions 41 extendbetween the side edge 4-2 of the end liners and the side wall 7. Thisengagement holds the tabs in locking position.

The container may be shipped flat to any desired point of use. 'Then thecontainer is erected as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. The end walls 4and 5 are turned upwardly relative to the bottom wall 6 on the scorelines 8. The side flaps 9 and 10 are then folded inwardly on the scorelines 11, the locking tabs being pushed from the U-shaped cuts 38whereby said tabs extend outwardly from the end walls 4 and 5. The frontside wall 6 is then turned upwardly into engagement with the outersurfaces of the side flaps 9. The tongues 33 are then pushed from thecut portions so they remain upstanding and the front side inner wall orliner folded inwardly on the fold lines to extend downwardly inengagement with the inner surfaces of the respective side flaps 9 andsimultaneously the bottom liner 16 is folded on the score line 17 andthe end liners 18 and 19 folded on the score lines 20 and 21 whereby thebottom liner overlies the bottom wall 3 and the end liners 18 and 19 lieon the inside of and substantially engage L the inner surfaces of theend walls 4 and 5. This positions the edge 22 of the bottom liner inengagement with' the inner surface of a side flap adjacent the bottomthereof to prevent inward swinging thereof.

'inserted through the slots 40 in the rear side wall 7,

and folded on the score lines 39 whereby the free ends of said endportions 41 lie in the cutouts of the side flaps 10 with said free endspositioned between the adjaccnt edges 42 of the end liners 18 and 19 andthe side wall 7 as illustrated in Fig. 8. This arrangement of thelocking tabs cooperates with the engagement of the bottom liner. andtheside flaps 10 to hold said side flaps and the wall 7 in erectedposition.

The container is then a structure having substantially triple thicknessin the side walls and double thickness in the end and bottom walls andis ready to receive meat or other products adapted to be placed in thecontainer. After the products are placed in the container the cover '12is .folded on its score line 30 to overlie the top of the container andthe flange 13 turned downwardly exteriorly of and in engagement with theside wall 6, said flange 13 being .inwardly of the locking tongues 33.

.The portion 36 of the locking tongues is then inserted shipped orstored in flat condition either before or after Also during use thesides and ends cooperate to add vertical strength to the entirestructure whereby it is very strong and adapted to contain meat or otherheavy products without the use of wood strips or like reinforcing andyet may be stacked without danger of crushing the sides and end walls ofthe container.

It is believed obvious that I have provided a strong container structureof great strength that is economical to manufacture with substantiallyno waste of material and that can be easily assembled and used withoutauxiliary fastening means such as staples, tape, stitching and the like.

. WhatI'claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s:

1. A container of the character described folded from a blank andincluding, a bottom wall, side and end walls having fold line hingeconnections to the bottom wall and extending upwardly therefrom, sideflaps having fold line end connections with the end walls and extendinginwardly from said end walls in overlying relation to the side walls, aside liner having fold line hinge connection with the upper edge of oneof the side walls and extending inwardly and downwardly therefrom inoverlying relation to the adjacent side flaps, a bottom liner havingfold line hinge connection with said side liner and overlying the bottomwall with the side edge of the bottom liner remote from said side linerengaging the side flaps which overlie the other side wall, tongues cutfrom the side flaps that overlie said other side wall and extending fromthe end walls exteriorly of said other side wall, said other side wallhaving slots parallel to and spaced from the fold line hinge connectionsbetween the end walls and side flaps, end liners having fold line hingeconnection with the bottom liner and extending upwardly therefrom inengagement with the end walls, said end liners each having an edgesubstantially engaging the side flaps which overlie said other side wallwhereby the tongues extend from the end walls over the outer surface ofsaid other side wall and through the slots in said other side wall, endportions on the tongues turned back toward the adjacent end wall andengaging the inner face of said other edges of the adjacent end linersand inner face of said other side wall cooperate to hold the tongue inposition toretain said other side wall and end wall in folded condition,a cover member having fold line hinge connection with the upper edge ofsaid other side wall and ex tending over the said one side wall, andmeans securing the cover in container closing position.

2, A container of the character described folded from a blank andincluding, a bottom wall, side and end walls having fold line hingeconnections to the bottom wall and extending upwardly therefrom, sideflaps having fold line end connections with the end walls and extendinginwardly from said end walls in overlying relation to the side walls, aside liner having fold line hinge connection with the upper edge of oneof the side walls and extending inwardly and downwardly therefrom inoverlying relation to the adjacent side flaps, a bottom liner havingfold line hinge connection with said side liner and overlying the bottomwall with the side edge of the bottom liner remote from said side linerengaging the side flaps which overlie the other side wall, tongues cutfrom the side flaps that overlie said other side wall and extending fromthe end walls exteriorly of said other side wall, said tongues andcutouts formed thereby being spaced from the top and bottom edges of theside flaps, said other side wall having slots parallel to and spacedfrom the fold line hinge connections between the end walls and sideflaps, end liners having fold line hinge connection with the bottomliner and extending upwardly therefrom in engagement with the end walls,said end liners each having an edge substantially engaging the sideflaps which overlie said other side wall whereby the tongues extend fromthe end walls over the outer surface of said other side wall and throughthe slots in said other side wall, end portions on the tongues turnedback toward the adjacent end wall and engaging the inner face of saidother side wall and lying in the cutout portions of the adjacent sideflaps and in the same plane as said side flaps with the free endsengaging between the edges of the adjacent end liners and the inner faceof said other side wall whereby said edges of the adjacent end linersand inner face of said other side wall cooperate to hold the tongue inposition to retain said other side wall and end wall in foldedcondition, a cover member having fold line hinge connection with theupper edge of said other side Wall and extending over the said one sidewall, a flange on the cover and extending downwardly therefrom inengagement with the outer face of said one side wall, inturned flangeson the upper edges of the end walls and selected side flaps forstiffening same, said inturned flanges having engagement with the undersurface of the cover, the flange on the cover having tab receiving slotstherein, and locking tabs cut from said one side wall and said sideliner and extending upwardly over the outer face of the flange on thecover and having an end portion extending through the tab receiving slotwhereby the end portion tabs engage the sides of the slots to resistwithdrawal of the locking tab from the slots.

3. A fiberboard container having two walls disposed at right angles, oneof said walls having an end flap that has a fold line hinge connectionthereto and that engages with the inner face of the other wall, a tongueextending from the fold line hinge connection of the end flap and saidone wall, said tongue being cut from said end flap in spaced relation tothe top and bottom edges thereof and forming a cutout in said end flap,said tongue having a fold line spaced from and parallel to the fold linehinge connection of the end flap and said one wall, the other wallhaving a slot therein parallel to said fold line and spaced therefrom adistance substantially equal to the spacing of the fold lines in thetongue, said tongue extending over the outer face of said other wall andthrough the slot in said other wall and having an end portion defined bythe fold line in the tongue which lies in the cutout portion of the endflap against the inner face of said other wall whereby said end portionis in the same plane as the end flap, and means engaging the end portionof the tongue to hold said end portion against hinging movement thereofrelative to the remainder of the tongue.

4. A fiberboard container having two walls disposed at right angles, oneof said Walls having an end flap that has a fold line hinge connectionthereto and that engages with the inner face of the other wall, a tonguemidway the height of said flap and extending parallel thereof from thefold line hinge connection of the end flap and said one wall, saidtongue being cut from said end flap and forming a cutout therein, saidtongue having a fold line spaced from and parallel to the fold linehinge connection of the end flap and said one wall, the other wallhaving a slot therein parallel to said fold line and spaced therefrom adistance substantially equal to the spacing of the fold lines in thetongue, said tongue extending over the outer face of said other wall andthrough the slot in said wall and having an end portion defined by thefold line in the tongue which lies in the cutout portion of the end flapagainst the inner face of said other wall whereby said end portion is inthe same plane as the end flap, and an inner liner engaging the innerface of said one wall and having an edge engaging the inner surface ofthe end flap, the end portion of the tongue being engaged between thesaid other wall and the edge of the end liner to hold said end portionagainst hinging movement thereof relative to the remainder of the tonguewhereby said tongue retains the said one wall and other wall inassembled condition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS448,824 Scott Mar. 24, 1891 1,703,042 Kondolf Feb. 19, 1929 2,100,750Ringler Nov. 30, 1937 2,277,717 Sackett Mar. 31, 1942 2,331,754 WohlersOct. 12, 1943 2,341,928 Levkoif Feb. 15, 1944 2,377,125 Borah et al May29, 1945 2,646,916 Meller July 28, 1953

